These days, more companies are experiencing contract disputes. Only some involve pyromaniacs.

Emilio Saladriagas, buried under an avalanche of late payment notices and collection calls from a local Rent-A-Center, decided to handle the problem in-person.

So, the Newark man walked into the business, poured a bottle of lighter fluid all over his body and set himself on fire in front of several employees and customers. He arrived at the store and asked to speak with a manager about a series of letters he’d gotten about his late payments on furniture rentals. When an employee told Saladriagas a manager wasn’t available at the moment, he became visibly upset and started the demonstration.

Bloomfield Police Capt. Chris Goul claimed he didn’t know if Saladriagas “had mental health issues or what sparked it,” but the employees recognized him as a frequent customer who has “always been a nice man.”

Saladriagas is in critical condition at Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Because he didn’t make overt or criminal actions to hurt anyone but himself, he hasn’t been charged with a crime.

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Tags: Newark, Pyromania, Rent-A-Center, Rentals